Despite the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security having given the nod to install the in-line baggage system, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is yet to float the tender for the equipment at Chennai airport.
Chennai airport director H. S. Suresh said the civil aviation ministry has set December as the target to open the expanded terminals but there are doubts that the deadline would be met.
“The request for quotation is yet to be prepared for the Euro-2 standard in-line baggage system equipment. We hope the process to get over in two months,” he added. It may be noted that the commissioning of expanded terminals, a mega project worth ` 2,015 crore, has already been postponed by almost two years.
The tender process for commercial establishments inside the terminals is also getting delayed.
“The operators have asked us to postpone the tender process; this made us to reschedule tender launch to October 16. Though we are committed to complete the process by December, we haven’t received any schedule from our headquarters,” the airport director said.
Pointing out that Chennai airport is expecting three new aerobridges for the international terminal by next week, Mr Suresh said seven other aerobridges had reached the city in August and had been installed.
“To increase the strength of CISF at the airport, we have asked for 250 more personnel from their headquarters,” he said adding that the customs department has also been asked to augment its manpower and machines.
“Customs officials told us they would manage with the current strength until additional men join their team,” he said.